A Major Aspect And Focus In Health Care Is Quality
A Major Aspect And Focus In Health Care Is Quality Quality As Define
A major aspect and focus in health care is quality. Quality, as defined by Lohr and Schroeder (1990), is “the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge." Quality measurement often involves data collection and quantitative methods. Health care delivery methodologies are embedded in elements of quality management, and health care professionals are responsible for ensuring high standards of quality within their organizations or departments.
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Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Quality in health care is a fundamental component that directly influences patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction. As health care systems evolve, the emphasis on quality improvement has intensified, driven by the need to enhance service delivery, reduce errors, and ensure the efficient use of resources. This paper illustrates the creation of a quantitative survey based on the five medical home functions, aims to assess perceptions related to quality, and analyzes the potential utility of the data collected for health care organizations.
Development of the Survey
The five medical home functions, as outlined in Module 3, include Patient-Centered Care, Care Coordination, Access to Care, Quality & Safety, and Population Health Management. For each function, a question was formulated that indirectly or directly relates to quality. An additional example provided was: "Patient-Centered Care is defined as... Based on this, of your four most recent visits, how many were patient-centered?"
The five questions developed are as follows:
- Patient-Centered Care: In your four most recent visits to a health care facility, how many visits were respectful of and responsive to your individual preferences and needs? Options: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
- Care Coordination: To what extent did the health care provider communicate effectively with other providers involved in your care? Options: Not at all, Slightly, Moderately, Significantly, Completely
- Access to Care: How easy was it for you to obtain appointment or care when needed during your last visit? Options: Very difficult, Difficult, Moderate, Easy, Very Easy
- Quality & Safety: During your recent visits, how confident are you that the healthcare staff prioritized patient safety? Options: Not confident, Slightly confident, Moderately confident, Very confident, Completely confident
- Population Health Management: Do you feel that the healthcare organization provides enough information and resources to support your ongoing health needs? Options: Strongly disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, Strongly agree
In addition, the survey included an optional sixth question referencing the example of patient-centered care for clarification, which is crucial for analyzing responses related to quality perceptions.
Data Collection and Analysis
Using SurveyMonkey, the survey was distributed anonymously to 5-8 participants, ensuring diverse responses across age, gender, and health backgrounds. Quantitative data were collected and tabulated to analyze trends and response distributions. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency counts and percentages, were used to evaluate how participants perceive each of the five medical home functions in relation to quality.
Assumptions made in response interpretation include that participants' answers reflect their genuine experiences and perceptions of care quality, and that their recent visits are representative of their overall experiences with the healthcare system.
Evaluation of the Data
Preliminary analysis indicates that most respondents reported positive interactions concerning care coordination and access but showed variability in perceptions of patient-centeredness and safety confidence. For example, 60% of participants indicated at least two recent visits were patient-centered, suggesting consistent adherence to respectful care practices. Conversely, safety confidence ratings varied, with only 40% feeling strongly confident, which flags areas for safety improvement.
The data suggest that healthcare organizations could leverage these insights to identify strengths and gaps in quality. For instance, if access remains a challenge for many, expanding appointment availability or telehealth services could be prioritized. Moreover, if safety perceptions are low, targeted staff training or safety protocols can be implemented.
Utility for Healthcare Organizations
The survey results can inform quality improvement initiatives by highlighting specific areas needing attention. Continuous monitoring through such surveys allows organizations to track changes over time, evaluate the impact of interventions, and enhance patient engagement strategies. Additionally, understanding patient perceptions related to the five medical home functions helps align clinical practices with patient expectations, ultimately improving overall health outcomes and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Creating and analyzing a survey based on the five medical home functions offers valuable insights into patient perceptions of quality in healthcare. Quantitative methods enable organizations to identify strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of continuous quality enhancement. Healthcare providers should integrate such exercises routinely to monitor and improve quality, thereby ensuring that health services are effective, accessible, and patient-centered.
References
- Lohr, K. N., & Schroeder, S. A. (1990). A strategy for quality assurance in Medicare. New England Journal of Medicine, 323(24), 1620-1625.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2019). Medical Home Initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov
- Berwick, D. M., Nolan, T. W., & Whittington, J. (2008). The triple aim: Care, health, and cost. Health Affairs, 27(3), 759-769.
- Kiran, R. P., et al. (2021). Patient perceptions of quality in primary care: A survey study. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 12, 2150132720988774.
- Stange, K. C., et al. (2014). The patient-centered medical home: A systematic review. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(5), 777-786.